Case-hardening compound and method of using same



ED SITES DE SOTO E. RICHARDSON, OF RIVERSIDE, WASHINGTON.

CASE-HARDENING COMPOUND AND METHOD OF USING SAME.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, DE So'ro E. RICHARD- SON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Riverside, in the county of Okanogan, State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Case- Hardening Compounds and Methods of Using Same; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable those skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improved casehardening compound and method of using same.

It is my purpose to provide a case-hardening compound which will be non-poisonous, inexpensive, readily adapted for use by blacksmiths in case-hardening toe-calks, plow shares, picks and other like implements, which will result in material economy in the use of fuel and will he possessed of the quality of deep penetration into the metal.

In producing my improved case-hardening compound I mix in thoroughly powdered form six and one-half pounds of diatomaceous earth or tufa containing by analysis not less than 20% alumina and not less than 60% silica, one and one-half pounds of common salt, two pounds of salt peter and one ounce of salts of tartar. I have discovered in my experim nts that the chemical actions of salt peter and salts of tartar assist in melting certain chemicals contained in diatomaceous earth or tufa, among which are alumina and silica, at a lower temperature than will permit the use of other casehardening compounds, the result being that a material saving in fuel and time in the casehardening process is gained. I have also discovered that the presence of salt peter and salts of tartar in my compound greatly enhances the penetrating qualities thereof Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 31, 1921.

Application filed August 13, 1919. Serial No. 317,195.

and causes the hardening result to enter very deeply into the iron or steel.

In the use of my compound I take cast iron, mild steel or wrought iron; heat the same to nearly straw color heat; place the compound on the heated metal and allow it to melt and as soon as the compound has melted the iron is plunged into a soft water bath and the case-hardening process is completed.

lVhile I have disclosed the ingredients of my compound in definite proportions I do not wish to be limited to such exact proportions as I have found it possible to vary the proportions of the ingredients and still reach the advantages of economy in fuel and time together with penetration. The proportions that I have given seem to produce the best results in so far as my experiments have been conducted at this time.

I claim:

1. A compound for case-hardening consisting of diatomaceous earth, or tufa, common salt, salt peter, and sodium potassium tartrate.

2. A compound for case-hardening consisting of six and one-half pounds of diatomaceous earth, one and one-half pounds of common salt, two pounds of salt peter and one ounce of sodium potassium tartrate.

3. The herein described method of casehardening iron and steel consisting of heating the iron or steel to nearly straw color ieat, placing a compound of diatomaceous earth, or tufa, common salt, salt peter and sodlum potassium tartrate on the same and permitting it to melt, and then plunging the iron into a soft water bath.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

DE SOTO E. RICHARDSON.

Witnesses:

MRS. Vroron IJESAMIZ, F. V. BROOK. 

